Antarctica

• Monday, September 17th 2012 - 02:26 UTC

  South Georgia issues new stamps dedicated to blue whales

  

  Blue whales are the subject of a new SGSSI stamp issue released on August 31st. The four stamp designs are based on watercolour paintings by artist Kim Chater, according to the latest release from South Georgia News and Events.

• Saturday, September 15th 2012 - 06:27 UTC

  Funds from confiscated illegal fish used to combat poachers in Southern Ocean

  

  Funds generated by the sale of fish confiscated from a vessel that had been poaching in the South Georgia and South Sandwich Island’s Fishery Zone (SGFZ) are being put to good use to fight illegal fishing elsewhere in the Southern Ocean.

• Saturday, September 15th 2012 - 06:01 UTC

  One longliner and four krill trawlers fishing in South Georgia

  

  Only one longliner remained fishing in South Georgia waters at the end of the season on August 31. Four longliners were fishing at the start of August, but just one remained to complete its allotted fish quota. The others completed their TAC at various times through the month then sailed for the Falkland Islands for catch verification.

• Thursday, September 13th 2012 - 19:11 UTC

  A field guide to the wildlife of South Georgia with 350 colour photos

  

  “A Field Guide to the Wildlife of South Georgia” is the title of the comprehensive new 200-page soft-back guide to the Island’s wildlife. The book contains over 350 colour photos of the fauna and flora it describes.

• Thursday, September 13th 2012 - 02:34 UTC

  South America cruise industry “must work together and rein in costs”

  

  South America's cruise industry has been growing fast and holds vast potential, but the region must work together to tackle issues, create demand and rein in costs, said speakers at the Seatrade South America Cruise Convention in Buenos Aires.

• Wednesday, September 5th 2012 - 00:44 UTC

  Antarctica could hold large volumes of methane, warn British scientists

  

  Large volumes of methane - a potent greenhouse gas - could be locked beneath the ice-covered regions of Antarctica, according to a new study. Methane could be released into the atmosphere as ice retreats, contributing to climate warming.

• Wednesday, August 29th 2012 - 02:56 UTC

  Falklands’ Shallow Marine Survey Group shares beauty of South Georgia waters

  

  The Shallow Marine surveys Group, which normally operates around the Falkland Islands, completed what they described as a, “highly productive expedition,” to South Georgia earlier this year, exploring the sub-tidal and inter-tidal habitats along the island’s north coast.

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 22:37 UTC

  Ice patrol HMS Protector crew to visit the affiliated city of Cambridge

  

  The university city of Cambridge might be more used to punts, but it is about to welcome the crew of a Royal Navy ship. HMS Protector, the Navy's 5.000-ton Antarctic patrol vessel is to visit the region on Monday, marking her first visit to her affiliated city of Cambridge since the formal link was established a year ago.

• Wednesday, August 8th 2012 - 06:57 UTC

  Black-browed Albatross success in Falklands not reflected in South Georgia

  

  The July edition of the South Georgia Newsletter has an interesting comment on the recent announcement that the Falklands’ population of black-browed Albatross has seen a healthy increase in the number of breeding birds, information that has been submitted to BirdLife International for use in the Red List assessment process

• Wednesday, August 1st 2012 - 22:33 UTC

  Research shows Antarctica at one time had mild weather and palms and conifers

  

  Scientists drilling deep into the edge of modern Antarctica have pulled up proof that palm trees once grew there. Analyses of pollen and spores and the remains of tiny creatures have given a climatic picture of the early Eocene period, about 53 million years ago.